Being overly nervous before a speech or presentation can interfere with your confidence, but a measured dose of it is crucial for your best performance. You'll probably never eliminate nervousness, but you can make it work for -- rather than against - you. Prior to your presentation, read your material aloud four to six times while standing up. Mouthing, hearing, and repeating the content "internalizes" it, permitting more spontaneity and faster recall to help you appear more natural. Accept that your audience wants you to succeed. Do so will help you feel closer to them rather than feeling scrutinized by them. Do you have irritating nervous pangs of energy? See them as your race car's engines "revving" up. Manage these sensations with slow, deep breathing. Repeat as needed.